Communications: electrical – Systems – Plural
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-01
2001-02-13
Hofsass, Jeffery A. (Department: 2736)
Communications: electrical
Systems
Plural
C340S471000, C340S575000, C340S576000, C188S07700R, C307S010800
Reexamination Certificate
active
06188312
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to motor vehicle safety enhancement and, more specifically, to safety enhancers which may not be prematurely disabled. In particular, a stimulator to rouse a sleepy motor vehicle driver which cannot be disabled without turning the motor off is described.
BACKGROUND ART
Many motor vehicle safety enhancement devices have been developed. The effectiveness of most, if not all, such devices may easily be compromised by actions of those whom the devices are intended to protect. For example, seat belts must be fastened if they are to protect a user from sudden deceleration and impact. Seat belts should not be unbuckled until the vehicle is safe and, usually, stopped. Emergency flashers should not be prematurely deactivated.
Falling asleep while operating a motor vehicle remains a major cause of personal injury and property damage. The consequences of falling asleep are more widespread than those experienced by the motor vehicle operator. In particular, delivery and trucking companies would benefit from reduced liability insurance costs if devices were effective to reduce or eliminate the chance of their drivers causing harm to themselves, others, and their valuable cargo.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention provide motor vehicle safety enhancement devices which, once activated, may not be prematurely deactivated. In an embodiment, an electrically controllable safety device for use by an occupant of a motor vehicle includes a safety enhancer and a controller. The controller and the safety enhancer are electrically coupled to the vehicle's electrical ignition system, so that the controller may only activate the safety enhancer while the motor is on and, once activated, the safety enhancer may only be deactivated by turning the motor off.
In another embodiment, a stimulator for use by a sleepy driver of a vehicle includes a signal generator capable of rousing the driver and a controller to activate the signal generator. The controller and the signal generator are electrically coupled to a motor vehicle ignition system, so that the controller may only activate the signal generator while the motor is on and, once activated, the signal generator may only be deactivated by turning the motor off. The signal generator may include a buzzer and a warning lamp. The controller may include a momentary switch, a relay, and a diode.
In yet another embodiment, an electrically controllable safety device for use by an occupant of a vehicle is provided. The vehicle is powered by a motor activatable by an electrical ignition system which includes an ignition switch having an ignition pole electrically coupled with a power source and an ignition throw electrically coupled with a motor starting means. The device includes a manually activatable switch having a switch pole and a switch throw with the switch pole electrically coupled to the ignition throw. The device also has a changeover relay with two input terminals, a plurality of output terminals, an inductor, and a relay switch. The first input terminal is externally electrically coupled to the ignition throw and is internally electrically coupled to a relay pole of the relay switch. The second input terminal is externally electrically coupled to the switch throw and internally electrically coupled to a first inductor end while a second inductor end is internally electrically coupled to a first output terminal which is externally coupled to ground. An electrical connection is included between the second input terminal and an active output terminal of the changeover relay and a safety enhancer is externally electrically coupled to the active output terminal. Turning the manually activatable switch on while the ignition switch is on instantaneously powers the inductor causing the relay switch to switch positions from a first position coupled to an inactive throw, which is internally electrically coupled to an inactive output terminal, to a second position coupled to an active throw internally electrically coupled to the active output terminal coupled to the safety enhancer so that, in addition to flow to the enhancer, current from the electrical ignition system flows through the inductor to keep the inductor powered.
Methods of using such electrically controllable safety devices are provided in further embodiments of the present invention.
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Bromberg & Sunstein LLP
Hofsass Jeffery A.
Nguyen Phung
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